S-0501.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5430

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     1999 Regular Session

By Senators Wojahn, Winsley, Jacobsen, Hale, Kohl‑Welles, Thibaudeau, Benton, Rasmussen, Long, Fraser, Prentice, Shin, Gardner, Heavey, McAuliffe, Patterson, Franklin, Costa, Eide, B. Sheldon and Spanel

Read first time 01/22/1999.  Referred to Committee on Health & Long‑Term Care.

Creating the office of women's health within the department of health.

    AN ACT Relating to the office of women's health; adding a new section to chapter 43.70 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that, until recently, little attention has been given to the detection, treatment, and prevention of disease as specifically related to the unique needs and experiences of women.  Reports show that each year between two and four million women are battered in the United States and domestic violence is the single largest cause of injury to women between the ages of fifteen and forty-four.  It is therefore necessary that Washington state address these problems facing women by providing:  (1) Equity in policy considerations and decisions affecting women's health, including the administration, funding, and delivery of medical care and health care-related services; (2) additional opportunities for basic and applied research directly affecting women's health; and (3) innovative programs to address the effects of domestic violence on the health of women in the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 43.70 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) The office of women's health is created in the department.  The secretary shall appoint the director of the office.

    (2) The office of women's health shall:

    (a) Develop a strategic plan for the department to improve public health services and programs targeting women;

    (b) Conduct departmental policy analysis on specific issues related to women's health;

    (c) Coordinate pilot projects and planning projects funded by the state that are related to women's health;

    (d) Serve as a clearinghouse for information regarding women's health, data, strategies, and programs that address women's health issues, including pregnancy, breast and cervical cancers, AIDS, osteoporosis, and menopause, as well as issues that impact women's health, including substance abuse, domestic violence, housing, teenage pregnancy, and sexual assault;

    (e) Communicate and disseminate information and perform a liaison function within the department and to providers of health, social, educational, and support services to women;

    (f) Provide technical assistance to counties, other public entities, and private entities seeking to obtain funds for initiatives in women's health, including identification of sources of funding and assistance with the writing of grants; and

    (g) Encourage innovative response by public and private entities that are attempting to address women's health issues.

    (3) The secretary may accept such grants, services, and property from the federal government, foundations, organizations, medical schools, and other entities as are available for the purposes of fulfilling the obligations of the office of women's health.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  The sum of . . . dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to the . . . for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, to carry out the purposes of this act.

                            --- END ---